The Value of Older Americans

Twenty years ago, 65 mph instead of 55 mph was declared the new maximum speed for freeway driving in CA. A similar change has taken place for aging limits. At one time, a person was considered a senior citizen at the age of 55. With advancements in technology and people living longer, 55 is considered young and the age divisions for "older" people now have three sub-groups: young-old (65-74), middle-old (75-84), and oldest old (85+). That is a lot of years to be enjoying your life and still making a contribution to your family, your community, and your country. 

​#OlderAmericansMonth, #DisruptAging​

Meet Marta

As a practicing cardiologist in her native country, Marta and her husband left Poland about 30 years ago to meet a greater need - the care of their two small grandchildren. This was a full-time job now that their only daughter and her husband were both launching careers in the medical profession as an oncologist and a retinal surgeon. She became known to the children in her culdesac as Basia, the neighborhood grandma. Marta is not the stereotypical grandma who watches games shows in her rocking chair. Instead, she learns foreign languages, earned her American citizenship, volunteers and at church, and is actively involved with the police service volunteers in her town. Many of us who see her around town affectionately call her Basia Sherrif. Marta is one of many older Americans contributing to her family, her community, and her country. If you are wondering about the grandchildren, they are now a practicing attorney and a medical student working on brain research.

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Wanting to Contribute?

Not sure where to begin? Start with your neighborhood senior and community center or place of worship. Ask your friends where they serve or rally them to join you on a new adventure of finding a place to serve together. Consider RSVP, one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and over. You can use the skills and talents you’ve learned over the years, or develop new ones while serving in a variety of volunteer activities within your community. 

Service opportunities are as diverse as the communities in which volunteers serve and may include:

• Organizing neighborhood watch programs
• Tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged or disabled youth
• Renovating homes
• Teaching English to immigrants
• Assisting victims of natural disaster

​http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/rsvp
http://www.volunteermatch.org
Volunteer In Police Services - Dana Point